Crystal Fate is a Canadian heavy thrash metal solo artist. On August 30th, 2023, Crystal Fate independently released his second studio album, The Star, which includes ten shooting stars of pure metal tapestry tracks that would gratify Megadeth and Mercyful Fate fans.
Introduction:
Crystal Fate, The Star: This review will evaluate every aspect of the album, from its intricate musical composition to its production. Our analysis will provide valuable insights to help you determine if this album is worth adding to your collection.
The First Three Sins of The Star
Let’s start by discussing the first three sins of Crystal Fate and their album, The Star.
The First Sin, The Strings/Keys: Features soaring fretboard shredding, solos, barb-wire (thrashy) riffage, and clean chord playing that will make your heart pound. The Second Sin, The Vocals: Involve an Interwoven of Dave Mustaine and Alice Cooper. The Third Sin—The Percussions: Delves into a vast world of full-driven drum strikes/fill and beats.
The Fourth Sin: Overall Discussion: Old-school metal in all its heavy metal glory and evoking a deep emotional…
Immediately after the listener presses the play button, they are instantly transported into the world of the opening piece: At What Expense? The song begins with a steady and complex instrumental attack featuring a variety of instruments that work together harmoniously. The tempo gradually picks up, and the listener can feel the energy building up. Finally, the vocals enter the scene, adding another layer of depth and emotion to the music.
As you embark on your musical journey with the second track, Heart Of Stone, and delve into the remaining eight pieces, you will discover that The Star carries a particular personal significance for Phil Arson.
The Star is a metal-solid production that boasts a raw, edgy quality, which gives it a distinct old-school metal vibe. Phil’s devilmanship behind the music wrote, mastered, and recorded everything in his home studio, and the result is a testament to his skill and dedication to the craft.
Phil’s music itself showcases impressive instrumental and vocal artistry. For me, Phil’s raw and unpolished vocals set The Star apart. Phil’s unique, interwoven quality elements of Dave Mustaine‘s snarling, almost aggressive style with Alice Cooper‘s theatrical flair. The result is a hauntingly exquisite and fiercely intense sound, capturing the essence of old-school metal in all its heavy metal glory and evoking a deep emotional connection with the audience.
The Star is an exceptionally well-crafted album that showcases its creator’s musical brilliance. It features a unique blend of devilry and composition, seamlessly combining a range of moods, tones, and various tempo changes designed to capture the essence of the lyrics. The lyrics of the songs vary in theme, but they are primarily centred around the occult and spirituality. While the fifth song, Nuclear Surprise, powerfully explores the horrors of war. The second song, Heart Of Stone, is a dark romantic ballad. The opening song is a political commentary, expressing deep concern about the state of the world.
The devilmanship on display throughout the album is truly outstanding. Phil demonstrates impressive technical skills and a deep understanding of his craft, creating a cohesive and powerful sound that will impress even the most discerning metal music lovers. From the intricate artwork to the poignant lyrics and captivating music, every element of this fruit of art is crafted to stir powerful emotions and captivate your senses. The Star is not just an album; it’s a personal journey that Phil Arson 1 invites you to embark on.
The album comes to an end with the last song, Magnum Opus. We want to give a shoutout to Crystal Fate for letting us review his album, The Star. Now, we’re going to wrap it up by talking about the final three sins and concluding the review.
You’re Listening to “Heart Of Stone”
PlayThe Last Three Sins
Let’s discuss the last three sins, our thoughts on Crystal Fate and his album, The Star.
The Fifth Sin, The Memorabilia: Is that for us, The Star is a remarkable album. From the first note, the listener journeys through a broad spectrum of emotions and sounds, each track offering a unique and captivating experience. The album’s intricate instrumentation, devilmanship, recording from home, rough vocals, and thoughtful lyrics create a rich and dynamic musical tapestry that will surely leave a lasting impression on anyone listening.
Overall, The Star is a fruit of art that deserves a place in any music lover’s collection.
The Sixth Sin, The Artwork:
The artwork was done independently by someone that Phil knows: “It was inspired by The Star card from the tarot that inspired me during a reading regarding my future” [Phil Arson]
The Seventh Sin, Disrelish:
Nothing to disrelish within the musical spectrum of Crystal Fate and his album The Star.
This concludes the Crystal Fate, The review.
Track-Listing:
- At What Expense?
- Heart Of Stone
- Cutting Through The Vail
- Back to Which You Come
- Nuclear Surprise
- The Star
- Return of the Gods
- Believe In Me
- Regenerate
- Magnum Opus
Crystal Fate is:
- Phil Arson – all instruments and vocals
- “A lot of energy and emotion went into the project during the summer of 2023. It was a rollercoaster of a year when I felt confused and lost and underwent an inner transformation. Many personal issues surfaced, and what motivated me for the final push was to split off with my first band, “Active Arson.” Instead of just giving up, I took the approach of finishing the album. As best I could, I took it very seriously and set a personal deadline as a challenge. And I wanted to release it during the blue moon of August 30th 2023, and just finished everything the afternoon of that day” [Phil Arson]. ↩︎
